2Ragin Posted March 12, 2012 #1 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I will start off with, I am very "research" kind of person and read all the posts from “1st timer’s” recommendations to "long-time" travelers posts and yes, some were helpful and some made me more nervous about going on a Cruise. My hope is this may help someone also. I know I did something’s "not according" to recommendations but I had to fit this trip into a time schedule - My wife and I arrived Ft. Lauderdale 10am on Saturday 3/3 and went straight to the dock via taxi, no complaints quick and easy. Inside the Terminal, they directed us to a waiting area; at this point all seemed very organized and as expected. The chairs were in rows and once boarding starting I assumed that there would be some organization to how the rows where sent to the waiting Princess Check-in counters, to my surprise it was a little chaotic, with others jumping lines or complete disregard, please people the ship is not going to leave for hours.... My wife is a heavy soda drinker, so once aboard we purchased a coffee card and a Beverage card, by the end of the trip these were good investments. We had no problem finding our room A702 and meeting our Cabin Steward. Lunch, Emergency drill, dinner and general relaxation :-) went off without anything unexpected. Day 2 - Princess Cays - Upon some discussion, we decided to not visit the Island and spend the day exploring the Ship and relaxing, we were glad we did. We had "anytime" dining option and went to the Michelangelo dining hall about 6:30pm, yes we received a pager but with a bar and someone on the Piano, the time seemed to fly bye. We joined 4 other couples and an enjoyable dinner and conversation. Day 3 - Sea day and Formal night - Played Bingo, went to the Casino, and enjoyed the Sun and pools with my wife. She had made a reservation for the Crown Grill for that evening, no worries, We still dressed up, me in my rental Tux and her in a very nice Gown, and we enjoyed our dinner at the Grill. Day 4 - Curacao, arrival 1pm, I went and made 2 dives with The Dive Bus, highly recommend this shop,(short taxi ride) and my wife went shopping. The ship departed at 10pmish and after the long day we enjoyed the buffet and sitting out and watching the Bob Marley concert on MUTS. Day 5 - Aruba, arrival time 8am - this day was devoted to a tour that I had been looking forward to since I booked back in January, Trikes Aruba. We met them outside the gate at 9am, where they whisked us off to the North part of the Island to meet up with another family and our "trike", this Tour is well the trip, my wife and I enjoyed this very much. Again another day in the wonderful Caribbean Sun, once back aboard and with the Ship to depart at 4:00pmish, we enjoyed the Buffet once again later in the evening after some relaxation and a couple of beers. Day 6 - Sea day and Formal night - I enjoyed a day of the Sun, pool and Casino and my wife enjoyed Spa, Sun and pools. We had originally decided to go Formal night but we were able to get a reservation for Sabatini's and completely enjoyed this and were very happy we did, as there Lobster was very yummy as well. Day 7 - another sea day - pretty much the same as before but the shops started having all there "really" good sales, so my wife was there and the spa :-) Day 8 - Back at Port Everglades - Disembarkation went well and quick, then off to the airport Some of the points I would like to make... - yes, as everyone has stated - you will over pack, we did - there is a lot to do aboard the ship, it sometimes is overwhelming, so we did as many suggested and sat down at breakfast with the Patter and hi-lited what we wanted to do - sometimes it changed depending on our "relaxation" level at the time - never made it to any shows but did enjoy MUTS many evenings - would dive again with "the Dive Bus" and would take the tour again with "Trikes Aruba" - you will eat too much, running comment - "it had been 30 minutes, time to get something to eat" Thank you to everyone who posts and the many comments that are made as they made this an "easier" trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
san diego sue Posted March 12, 2012 #2 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Glad you enjoyed your first cruise on the Grand. It is really special reading a first time cruisers impressions. Thanks for taking the time to post your review.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kywildcatfanone Posted March 12, 2012 #3 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I agree with Sue, it's always great to read comments by first time cruisers... Thanks for sharing your journey with us! We were on the Grand in December, and will be again in a couple of weeks. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coo359a2 Posted March 12, 2012 #4 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Thinks for your post. We're leaving out on 24 March so enjoyed reading about cruise. We are also signed up for Trikes Aruba so glad see you gave them an AOK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2travel77 Posted March 12, 2012 #5 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Nice review! Glad you enjoyed the cruise. I bet you are looking forward to another one not too long from now. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windsor26 Posted March 12, 2012 #6 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Welcome to cruising and Princess You will find you are now hooked. Thanks for an interesting review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srpilo Posted March 12, 2012 #7 Share Posted March 12, 2012 It's nice to see a cruise through fresh eyes Thanks for remembering us Srpilo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caribensun Posted March 12, 2012 #8 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Thanks for posting, anyone going on the Grand recommend Sabatini's highly for the food and of course Crown Grill too, the Chef cooks the food to perfection! Sabatinis has a different hand made pasta each night, wish we would have tried the ravioli. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovevacadays Posted March 13, 2012 #9 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Thanks for the review. Happy to hear you enjoyed your trip. I added a few things to my folder on ports from your review. Very helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysweetness Posted March 14, 2012 #10 Share Posted March 14, 2012 2Ragin, liked reading your review....glad you enjoyed ! we are sailing on the Grand in a few weeks.. I have just 2 questions. did you listen to music at Crooners ? what movies were playing at MUTS ? thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Ragin Posted March 15, 2012 Author #11 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Crooners has a piano player most evenings, and yes we did sit and and have drinks, olives and listen on a couple of the nights. MUTS had - The Help Dolphin Tale a movie w/ George Clooney in Hawaii/ sorry can't remember the name a Bob Marley concert if I remember this evening, we brought home all the Patter's - I can check on some of the other nights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysweetness Posted March 15, 2012 #12 Share Posted March 15, 2012 thanks, Ragin. I have Netflix and I want to save a couple of movies for the cruise. we are on a TA, and we'll have lots of sea days!! appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysweetness Posted March 15, 2012 #13 Share Posted March 15, 2012 ooops... I meant 2Ragin:o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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